Saad Khan

Saad Khan is the INVISTA Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at North Carolina State University. His research focuses on polymer rheology, colloidal systems, and sustainable materials, with a strong emphasis on linking microstructure to macroscopic properties. He leads the Khangroup (https://cbe.ncsu.edu/khangroup/), exploring advanced applications in materials science, environmental engineering, and agricultural biotechnology.

Research interests include structured polymeric systems, UV-crosslinked polymers, CO₂-induced plasticization, and hydrophobically modified polymers. His work addresses challenges in sustainable agriculture (e.g., nematode management via banana fiber wraps) and environmental remediation (e.g., CO₂ capture using MOF-aerogels). The group also develops smart materials for drug delivery, energy harvesting, and adaptive coatings.

Selected recent publications highlight innovations in nanocomposite aerogels, thermoresponsive polymers, and Pickering emulsions for agrochemical delivery. These studies reflect interdisciplinary approaches combining rheology, microscopy, and computational modeling. Collaborative projects with industry and global stakeholders aim to translate fundamental insights into practical solutions for agriculture and materials science.

His lab’s technologies include seed coatings for crop protection, self-healing nonwovens, and hierarchical porous materials. These efforts align with broader goals of sustainability, resource efficiency, and scalable manufacturing. Ongoing work explores enzyme-modified polymers, smart hydrogels, and advanced fiber fabrication methods.